Grading Criteria for Graduate Students

All assignments and relevant aspects of a student's performance will be graded on a 100-point scale where A= 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59. Notice that graduate students need a B average in order to maintain good standing in the program. The following distinctions will be observed in all grading:

90-100 = A = Excellent, outstanding work demonstrating unusual degree of effort, accomplishment, originality, creativity, intelligence and initiative; high degree of intellectual, analytical, and interpretive skill; ability to undertake subtle and finely balanced literary analysis, fully develop arguments, accurately and articulately present and explain relevant evidence, draw implications, and synthesize different issues and strands of thought; mastery of language (oral/written); thorough knowledge and command of course contents, facts, and background information; clearly outstanding contributions to the class and remarkable degree of cooperation in teamwork with others

80-89 = B = Very good, superior work characterized by intelligent and highly disciplined and responsible effort; solid accomplishment in analysis and comprehension of the issues and texts studied; ability to conduct reasonably complex and well-developed literary analysis, offer and clearly explain relevant evidence, and reach logical conclusions; very good awareness of course contents, facts, and background information; very good contributions to the class and degree of cooperation with others in teamwork

70-79 = C = Good, average work formally meeting course standards and requirements; acceptable handling of language and concepts; reasonably clear though rather general exposition of ideas and supporting evidence; general awareness of course contents, facts, and background information; good, responsible level of contribution to the class and participation in teamwork

60-69 = D = Below average achievement marginally complying with course standards and requirements; rather insufficiently developed, overly brief work exhibiting problems in expression and/or reasoning; good intuitive understanding of texts and issues but lack of clarity and/or evidence in support of arguments; frequent misunderstandings and inaccuracies in the handling of language, concepts, facts, and background information; marginal contributions to the class and/or insufficient level of involvement in teamwork

0-59 = F = Failing, work not acceptable for academic credit or not meeting minimum course requirements; serious deficiencies in language, self-expression, and/or reasoning; inability to present, develop, and support an intelligible thesis; lack of awareness of course contents, facts, and background information. Other reasons for failing the course include excessive absenteeism; non-compliance with reading, writing, or other assignments; academic dishonesty (cheating), plagiarism or failure to participate in teamwork

Last updated: 8/24/2004

| Home |